Mafraq Hospital Names Dr Mohamed Baguneid as New Chief of General Surgery

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Mafraq Hospital, part of the SEHA Health System and owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC ( SEHA ), has appointed Dr Mohamed Baguneid as its new Chief of General Surgery effective immediately. The role will see Dr Baguneid manage a department of highly qualified surgeons who cover the spectrum of surgery including breast surgery, hernia surgery, gallbladder, liver and pancreas as well as colon and stomach.

Dr Baguneid, who has worked at Mafraq Hospital for just over a year, has been appointed to the new position following his exceptional performance as Chief of Vascular Surgery at the hospital, a position which he will also retain. Mafraq Hospital is a leader and pioneer in vascular care and works in close collaboration with SEHA and all SEHA Health System hospitals.

An expert on vascular strokes, diabetic foot complications, vascular diseases and other disorders including varicose diseases and wound care, as well as clinical education and research in the UAE, Dr Baguneid has built up the largest team of vascular consultants in the UAE. A consultant vascular surgeon is available on call every day around the clock, supported by four other specialist surgeons and other healthcare practitioners. The team’s highly qualified and skilled surgeons are committed to advancing the health of the residents of Abu Dhabi and the wider community through excellence in patient care, education and research.

quot;We congratulate Dr Mohamed Baguneid on his appointment as Mafraq Hospital’s New Chief of General Surgery,quot; said Mr Lee Huntley, CEO Mafraq Hospital. quot;It is a role that Dr Baguneid has more than earned by demonstrating his commitment to enhancing standards, his meticulous approach to research and evidence-based treatment and care, and his leadership skills and talent in building teams and inspiring those he works with.quot;

Commenting on his new position, Dr Baguneid said: quot;It is an honour to have been appointed to lead the team of surgeons at Mafraq Hospital, and to have been entrusted to help improve patient care not just within my own specialist area of vascular surgery, but across all of our surgical departments. By looking at new and innovative ways of working, including adopting a multidisciplinary approach, I believe we can further raise our standards of care and treatment and provide better outcomes for our patients and our local communities.quot;

Under his leadership, and by spearheading a multi-disciplinary approach to patient management and care, the vascular team has made significant improvements in treatment outcomes, including a 49 per cent reduction in major amputations or death caused by diabetic foot complications. The UAE has one of the highest incidences of diabetes in the world. This means diabetic foot complications in the UAE are very frequent and the rate of major amputation is very high if patients do not receive proper management. The specialist multidisciplinary team for this area of treatment includes vascular surgeons, plastic surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons, and covers podiatry, medical microbiology, diabetes medicine and radiology.

Dr Baguneid is also a passionate campaigner on public health issues, including stroke awareness. Lack of awareness of stroke symptoms as one of the leading causes of death and adult disability in the UAE. While working in the UK, Dr Baguneid had one of the largest vascular surgical practices for stroke prevention and the one of lowest complication rates in the UK.

Dr Baguneid gained extensive clinical leadership expertise as Deputy Medical Director of Clinical Strategy in Manchester and other leadership roles in UK from 2006 where he was involved in the reconfiguration of many surgical specialties across the region. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS), gained his doctorate (MD) from Manchester. He was awarded an honorary professorship from University of Salford, Manchester in 2009 for his contribution to education and research.

Dr Baguneid replaces outgoing Chief of General Surgery Dr Al Fahim, who held the position for 7 years. quot;On behalf of everyone at Mafraq Hospital I would like to thank Dr Al Fahim for his exceptional service, and wish him every future success,quot; said Mr Huntley.